Embers
Produced by Sydney Theatre Company

Cast: Annie Byron, Tracy Mann, Mark Pegler, Tim Richards, Amber Todd, John Walker, Matt Zeremes

Book: Campion Decent
Director: Mæliosa Stafford

Publicist: STC

Australian Premiere: Wharf 1, Sydney. Tuesday, August 1, 2006.


The Lowdown:
Part of the STC's 2006 season.


AussieTheatre.com Review:
In real terms Campion Decent hasn't been around all that long. So indeed it's no major surprise that he has yet to find that 'killer' play that puts him on the map. With his latest play, Embers, being picked up by the Sydney Theatre Company for its 2006 subscription season, that opportunity has finally arrived.

Decent's previous work has been enjoyable to say the least, but far from groundbreaking. And while Embers certainly doesn't break down any walls, it does tell some remarkable stories and it all bundles together to be a terrific play and a wonderful example of verbatim theatre.

In his program notes, Decent rightly says: "I couldn't think of an Australian play that had dealt with the topic of fire in a substantial way, despite the fact that bushfires are a prominent feature of both our physical and psychic landscapes."

Decent is right, and his creation finally fills that gap.

The play focuses on the aftermath of the extraordinary bushfires that swept across the North East of Victoria in 2003. The play is set in early 2004, when the people and communities involved in the fires come together for a BBQ to share their feelings and stories. What makes the play so remarkable is its journey to the stage - these stories are all true, collected on the road by Decent. The cast, too, had toured to the bushfire devastated areas to see first hand what had happened, and to talk to the people involved - many of whom they portray on stage.

There's some funny stories, some heartbreaking ones and some that don't quite work in the structure of the play, but the reality is that this is no fiction - it's the feelings and thoughts of real people, people who've been through something most of us could never imagine.

As the play explains, the Victorian bushfires of 2003 weren't really about loss of life. Yes, one person did die as a result of the fires, but this was more about people's passion, commitment and strength - all three of which were tested during the lengthy bushfire period.

Decent has done a wonderful job in combining many of the stories that were relayed to him, and the cast perform superbly as an ensemble outfit - never missing a beat, even if they'd just transferred from a country season where the audience's passion would have been more evident.

Tracey Mann is the standout - she's superb, particularly when delivering a passioned story about a woman who thought she was insured for $120,000, but was told she'd only be given a quarter of that by the insurance company. This period is perhaps the most extraordinary of the play - perhaps because it's the easiest for the audience to relate to. A lot of the time, even though it's being thrust into your face, it's hard to comprehend that the stories being told actually happened - so remarkable and dreadful some of them are.

New girl on the block Amber Todd, a NIDA graduate, is wonderful - her range of emotions are superb and she settles into the play as it evolves throughout the two hours it runs. I was also extremely impressed with John Walker, who hasn't done a lot of mainstream theatre but looked right at home on the STC stage.

The design is superb, and Maeliosa Stafford has done a sensational job as director.

Embers is a truly Australian play, and a terrific learning experience for all of us. Campion Decent delivers a true, powerful and extraordinary piece of theatre that while not breathtaking, certainly ensures your attention is never diverted.


Production Shots: